printer

Abstract

To print on a matter to be printed where at least a portion of an outer peripheral shape is columnar while rotating the matter to be printed, with a simple structure, regardless of a length and a diameter of the matter to be printed.SOLUTION: A printer 10 comprises an ink head 34 that discharges ink to a second matter 5B to be printed, where at least a portion of an outer peripheral shape is columnar, and a support member 70 that supports the second matter 5B to be printed. The support member 70 has: a first shaft 72 extending in a main scanning direction Y; a first support roller 74 provided in the first shaft 72 attachably or detachably; a second shaft 76 extending in the main scanning direction Y; a second support roller 78 provided in the second shaft 76 attachably or detachably; and a driving mechanism 80 that rotates the first shaft 72. The driving mechanism 80 is configured to rotate at least the first shaft 72 to rotate the second matter 5B to be printed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer. More specifically, it relates to a printer that rotates a printed object with at least a partially cylindrical outer peripheral shape for printing.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer including an inkjet head, a printed object holding unit that rotatably holds a printed object (i.e., a printed material), and a holding unit driving unit that moves the printed object holding unit. In the printed object holding unit, a three-dimensional object having a cylindrical portion as the printed object is rotatably supported, and the printed object holding unit is moved by the holding unit driving unit to print an image or the like on the printed object. The printed object holding unit of the inkjet printer includes three shafts for holding the printed object, and a plurality of anti-slip rubber rings are attached to each shaft.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, in the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, the rubber rings are fixed to predetermined positions on the shaft. Therefore, in order to hold substrates of various lengths, it is necessary to attach a large number of rubber rings to the shaft. Also, since the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the substrate varies depending on the substrate, three shafts are provided to be able to hold multiple types of substrates with different diameters. That is, two of the three shafts are used depending on the diameter of the substrate. However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to move the three shafts in sync, which may complicate the drive mechanism for driving the shafts and increase costs.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its objective is to provide a printer that can rotate a printing substrate and print on it with a simple structure, regardless of the length or diameter of the substrate, which has at least a part of its outer circumference shaped like a cylinder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printer according to the present invention is A printer capable of printing on a first substrate having a plane that extends in at least part of the main scanning direction and in a sub-scanning direction that intersects the main scanning direction in a plan view, and a second substrate having at least part of its outer peripheral shape being cylindrical, wherein the first substrate or the second substrate It ejects ink, and, The aforementioned An ink head that can move in the main scanning direction, A table on which the first printed material can be placed, and placed on the table, The aforementioned 2nd The system comprises a support member for supporting the material to be printed. The support member includes a first shaft that extends in the main scanning direction and is rotatable, and the first shaft any multiple positions It is provided to be detachable, In a non-contact state with the aforementioned table The aforementioned 2nd A plurality of first support rollers that rotatably support the material to be printed, and extending in the main scanning direction, The aforementioned sub-scanning direction A second shaft is positioned at a predetermined distance from the first shaft, and the second shaft any multiple positions It is provided to be detachable, In a non-contact state with the aforementioned table The aforementioned 2nd Multiple second support rollers that rotatably support the material to be printed, and the first shaft and the second shaft It has a drive mechanism that rotates the first shaft. The drive mechanism has a drive mechanism that rotates the first shaft and the second shaft By rotating the above, 2ndIt is configured to rotate the printed material. The printer is configured to change the distance in the sub-scanning direction between the first support roller on the first shaft and the second support roller on the second shaft by changing the first support roller and the second support roller without changing the distance between the first shaft and the second shaft in the sub-scanning direction.

[0007] In the printer of the present invention, the first support roller and the second support roller, which rotatably support the workpiece, are detachably mounted on the first shaft and the second shaft, respectively. That is, the first support roller and the second support roller can be attached to any position on the first shaft and the second shaft, respectively. Therefore, the number and mounting positions of the first and second support rollers capable of rotatably supporting the workpiece can be changed according to the length of the workpiece (here, the length in the main scanning direction). Furthermore, since the first and second support rollers are detachably configured, even if the distance between the first shaft and the second shaft in the sub-scanning direction is constant, multiple types of workpieces with different diameters can be supported by appropriately using, for example, first and second support rollers with different diameters. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer that can rotate a printing substrate and print on it with a simple structure, regardless of the length or diameter of the substrate, which has at least a portion of its outer shape as cylindrical. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a printer according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of a printer according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the internal configuration of a printer according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing a support member arranged on a table according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing a support member arranged on a table according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This is an exploded perspective view of the first support roller according to one embodiment. [Figure 7]Cross-sectional view of the first support roller and the first shaft according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of the first support roller and the first shaft according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] Plan view schematically showing a state in which a printed object is supported by a support member according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a printed object is supported by a support member according to another embodiment. [Figure 11] Plan view schematically showing a state in which a printed object is supported by a support member according to another embodiment. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a printed object is supported by a support member according to another embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described here are not intended to particularly limit the present invention. In addition, members and parts having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a printer 10 according to the present embodiment (first embodiment). FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment. Here, the reference signs F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings indicate the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10, respectively. Further, the reference signs X, Y, and Z indicate the sub-scanning direction, the main scanning direction, and the height direction, respectively. For example, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The sub-scanning direction X intersects the main scanning direction Y in a plan view, and is orthogonal here. The sub-scanning direction X is, for example, the front-rear direction. The height direction Z is the up-down direction. However, these directions are merely directions defined for convenience of explanation, and do not limit the present invention and the installation mode of the printer 10 in any way.

[0012] Printer 10 is an inkjet printer. However, the printing method of printer 10 is not particularly limited. Printer 10 may be, for example, a dot impact printer, or may be a laser printer or a thermal printer.

[0013] The printer 10 according to the present embodiment can print on a first printed material 5A (see FIG. 2) supported by a table 48 (see FIG. 2) described later. Further, the printer 10 can also print on a second printed material 5B (see FIG. 4) using a support member 70 (see FIG. 4) described later. Here, in FIG. 2, a state where the first printed material 5A is supported by the table 48 is shown. The first printed material 5A shown in FIG. 2 has a plane that extends at least partially in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The first printed material 5A is, for example, recording paper. However, the first printed material 5A is not limited to recording paper. For example, the first printed material 5A includes sheets formed from resin materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyester, metal plates, glass plates, and wood plates that have a relatively large thickness. Also, the first printed material 5A may be a three-dimensional object such as a smartphone case. Note that in FIG. 3, the illustration of the first printed material 5A is omitted.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 4, the second printed material 5B is a three-dimensional object with at least a part of its outer peripheral shape being cylindrical. Here, the above-mentioned part of the second printed material 5B refers to the part that contacts the support member 70 (specifically, the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 described later). The second printed material 5B includes three-dimensional objects having a space inside, such as cylindrical or circular tube-shaped three-dimensional objects. The type of the second printed material 5B is not particularly limited, but for example, it is a bottle or a cup. Also, the material forming the second printed material 5B is not particularly limited. The second printed material 5B may be made of glass, resin, or wood. In the present embodiment, the second printed material 5B is an example of a "printed material with at least a part of its outer peripheral shape being cylindrical".

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 comprises a base member 60, a main body case 12 (see Figure 1) attached to the base member 60, a carriage movement mechanism 20, an ink head unit 30, a table movement mechanism 38, and a table unit 40. The printer 10 also includes a main body frame 14 that supports the carriage movement mechanism 20 and the ink head unit 30.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1, a front cover 13C is provided in the center of the front of the main case 12. The front cover 13C is configured to open and close relative to the main case 12. The front cover 13C is provided with a window 13W. The window 13W is formed, for example, from a transparent acrylic plate. The worker can see inside the main case 12 through the window 13W. A base member 60 (see Figure 2) is attached to the bottom of the main case 12. The base member 60 supports the main case 12.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the base member 60 includes a bottom wall 61 that forms the bottom surface, a left wall 62 located to the left and above the bottom wall 61, a right wall 63 located to the right and above the bottom wall 61, a left side wall 64 connecting the bottom wall 61 and the left wall 62 and extending in the vertical direction Z, and a right side wall 65 connecting the bottom wall 61 and the right wall 63 and extending in the vertical direction Z. The table unit 40 moves along the bottom wall 61 in the sub-scanning direction X. The left wall 62 and the right wall 63 support the main body frame 14.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the main frame 14 is provided on the base member 60. The main frame 14 has a left base wall 15L extending upward from the left wall 62 of the base member 60, a right base wall 15R extending upward from the right wall 63 of the base member 60, and a support wall 16 connecting the upper end of the left base wall 15L and the upper end of the right base wall 15R. The left base wall 15L is located to the left of the table unit 40. The right base wall 15R is located to the right of the table unit 40. The support wall 16 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The support wall 16 is located above the base member 60. The printer 10 is configured to allow the table unit 40 to pass through and has an opening 14H that penetrates in the sub-scanning direction X. The opening 14H is formed by being surrounded by the main frame 14 and the base member 60.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 is equipped with a guide rail 18 provided on the support wall 16. The guide rail 18 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The guide rail 18 is provided along the front surface of the support wall 16. The guide rail 18 is positioned above the opening 14H. The guide rail 18 is positioned above the table unit 40. The head carriage 32 of the ink head unit 30, which will be described later, is slidably mounted on the guide rail 18. The guide rail 18 guides the movement of the head carriage 32 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the carriage movement mechanism 20 is a mechanism that moves the head carriage 32 relative to the table 48 of the table unit 40 (described later) in the main scanning direction Y. The carriage movement mechanism 20 moves the head carriage 32 in the main scanning direction Y. The configuration of the carriage movement mechanism 20 is not particularly limited. The carriage movement mechanism 20 comprises a left pulley 21, a right pulley 22, an endless belt 23, and a head carriage motor 24. The left pulley 21 is located to the left of the left end of the guide rail 18. The right pulley 22 is located to the right of the right end of the guide rail 18. The left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22 are fixed to the main frame 14. The belt 23 is wrapped around the left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22. The head carriage motor 24 is connected to the right pulley 22. However, the head carriage motor 24 may also be connected to the left pulley 21. In this case, the head carriage motor 24 is driven, causing the right pulley 22 to rotate, and the belt 23 travels between the left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22.

[0021] The ink head unit 30 is located inside the main body case 12 (see Figure 1). As shown in Figure 2, the ink head unit 30 is located above the table unit 40. The ink head unit 30 comprises an ink head 34, a head carriage 32 on which the ink head 34 is mounted, a case 31 attached to the head carriage 32, and a light irradiation device 35.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the head carriage 32 is attached to the belt 23. The head carriage 32 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 18. The head carriage 32 is positioned above the table 48. As the belt 23 moves due to the drive of the head carriage motor 24, the head carriage 32 moves in the main scanning direction Y, and the ink head 34 and light irradiation device 35 mounted on the head carriage 32 move in the main scanning direction Y.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the ink head 34 is formed in a shape where the length in the sub-scanning direction X is longer than the length in the main scanning direction Y. Each ink head 34 is formed to have the same shape and size. The ink head 34 is configured to eject ink onto a first substrate 5A (see Figure 2) placed on a table 48 and a second substrate 5B (see Figure 4) supported by a support member 70. The ink head 34 has a plurality of nozzles (not shown) that eject ink and are aligned in the sub-scanning direction X. The ink ejected from the nozzles of the ink head 34 is, for example, a photocurable ink. An example of a photocurable ink is an ultraviolet-curable ink. An ultraviolet-curable ink has the property of hardening when irradiated with ultraviolet light. In this embodiment, the ink head unit 30 has three ink heads 34, but is not limited to this.

[0024] The light irradiation device 35 is a device that irradiates light (e.g., ultraviolet light) onto the photocurable ink (e.g., ultraviolet ink) ejected onto the first substrate 5A and the second substrate 5B. As shown in Figure 3, the light irradiation device 35 is located to the left of the ink head 34. The light irradiation device 35 is fixed to the head carriage 32 (see Figure 2). In this embodiment, the light irradiation device 35 is located to the left of the ink head 34, but is not limited to this. The light irradiation device 35 may be located to the right of the ink head 34. In addition, light irradiation devices 35 may be provided to the left and right of the ink head 34, respectively.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the table unit 40 is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction X along the first slide rail 51 and the second slide rail 52 of the table moving mechanism 38, which will be described later. The table unit 40 includes a table 48 on which the first workpiece 5A or the support member 70 described later is placed, and a table carriage 49 that supports the table 48 so that it can move in the sub-scanning direction X. The table 48 is formed in a rectangular shape in which the length in the sub-scanning direction X is shorter than the length in the main scanning direction Y. Note that the length in the sub-scanning direction X of the table 48 may be longer than the length in the main scanning direction Y, or the length in the sub-scanning direction X and the length in the main scanning direction Y may be the same. As shown in Figure 2, the table 48 is located below the support wall 16. The table 48 is located below the ink head unit 30. The table 48 is provided at the upper end of the table carriage 49. The table carriage 49 is slidably supported by the first slide rail 51 (see also Figure 3) and the second slide rail 52 (see also Figure 3). The table carriage 49 is provided to be movable in the sub-scanning direction X along the first slide rail 51 and the second slide rail 52. The table carriage 49 is configured to move the table 48 in the vertical direction Z by a lifting mechanism (not shown).

[0026] The table moving mechanism 38 is a mechanism for moving the table 48 of the table unit 40 in the sub-scanning direction X. As shown in Figure 3, the table moving mechanism 38 includes a first slide rail 51 and a second slide rail 52 that support the table unit 40 so as to be movable in the sub-scanning direction X, and a moving device 41 that moves the table unit 40 in the sub-scanning direction X. The first slide rail 51 and the second slide rail 52 extend in the sub-scanning direction X. The first slide rail 51 and the second slide rail 52 are arranged in parallel. The first slide rail 51 and the second slide rail 52 are provided on the left wall 64 (see Figure 2) and the right wall 65 (see Figure 2) of the base member 60, respectively.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the moving device 41 is positioned on the bottom wall 61 of the base member 60. The moving device 41 comprises a front pulley 42, a rear pulley 43, an endless belt 44, and a drive motor 45. The front pulley 42 is located on the front side of the bottom wall 61. The rear pulley 43 is located on the rear side of the bottom wall 61. The belt 44 is wrapped around the front pulley 42 and the rear pulley 43. The drive motor 45 is connected to the rear pulley 43. However, the drive motor 45 may also be connected to the front pulley 42. Here, the drive motor 45 is driven, causing the rear pulley 43 to rotate, which in turn causes the belt 44 to travel between the front pulley 42 and the rear pulley 43. The table carriage 49 (see also Figure 2) is attached to the belt 44. Therefore, when the belt 44 is driven by the drive motor 45, the table carriage 49 moves along the first slide rail 51 and the second slide rail 52 in the sub-scanning direction X. In other words, the moving device 41 can move the table 48 in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0028] As mentioned above, the printer 10 according to this embodiment is capable of printing on a second printable object 5B (see Figure 4), which has at least a portion of its outer shape as cylindrical, in addition to the first printable object 5A (see Figure 2). The second printable object 5B is supported by a support member 70 (see Figure 4) fixed to the table 48.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the support member 70 supports the second workpiece 5B. The support member 70 is detachably fixed to the table 48. The support member 70 is configured to move in the sub-scanning direction X and the vertical direction Z as the table 48 moves. The support member 70 is fixed to the table 48 when printing on the second workpiece 5B, and is removed from the table 48 when printing on the first workpiece 5A (see Figure 2). The support member 70 has a rectangular housing case 71 with an open top, a first shaft 72 extending in the main scanning direction Y, a plurality of first support rollers 74 provided on the first shaft 72, a second shaft 76 extending in the main scanning direction Y, a plurality of second support rollers 78 provided on the second shaft 76, and a drive mechanism 80 for rotating the first shaft 72. As shown in Figure 5, the entire housing case 71 overlaps with the table 48 in a plan view. In other words, the storage case 71 does not protrude outside the table 48 in a plan view.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 extend in the main scanning direction Y. The first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 are rotatably supported in the housing case 71. The second shaft 76 is positioned at a predetermined distance LX1 from the first shaft 72 with respect to the sub-scanning direction X. That is, the relative positional relationship between the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 is constant. The first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 are positioned parallel to each other.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the first support roller 74 is an anti-slip member that prevents the second workpiece 5B, supported by the first shaft 72, from sliding relative to the rotating first shaft 72. The first support roller 74 is detachably mounted on the first shaft 72. That is, the position of the first support roller 74 can be changed. The first support roller 74 supports the second workpiece 5B. The second support roller 78 is an anti-slip member that prevents the second workpiece 5B, supported by the second shaft 76, from sliding relative to the rotating second shaft 76. The second support roller 78 is detachably mounted on the second shaft 76. That is, the position of the second support roller 78 can be changed. The second support roller 78 supports the second workpiece 5B. As shown in Figure 5, the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 are positioned at the same location with respect to the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, the diameter RX of the first support roller 74 and the diameter RY of the second support roller 78 are different. The diameter RX of the first support roller 74 is greater than the diameter RY of the second support roller 78. Since the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 have the same configuration except for their different diameters, the first support roller 74 will be described below.

[0032] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first support roller 74 includes a first body member 75A, a second body member 75B, and a fastening member 75C. The first support roller 74 has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the first shaft 72. The diameter RX of the first support roller 74 is larger than the diameter RZ of the first shaft 72. The first body member 75A and the second body member 75B are formed from, for example, rubber. As shown in Figure 7, the first main body member 75A has a first outer circumferential surface 75AP which is the outer circumferential surface of the first main body member 75A, has an arc-shaped cross-section and contacts the second printed material 5B, a first inner circumferential surface 75AQ which is the inner circumferential surface of the first main body member 75A, has an arc-shaped cross-section and contacts the first shaft 72, a first surface 75AG which is located between the first outer circumferential surface 75AP and the first inner circumferential surface 75AQ and is formed at one end in the circumferential direction, and a second surface 75AH which is located between the first outer circumferential surface 75AP and the first inner circumferential surface 75AQ and is formed at the other end in the circumferential direction. The first main body member 75A has a first recess 75AM recessed from the first outer circumferential surface 75AP on the circumferential end side of the first outer circumferential surface 75AP, and a second recess 75AN recessed from the first outer circumferential surface 75AP on the circumferential end side of the first outer circumferential surface 75AP. Two first recesses 75AM and two second recesses 75AN are provided along the longitudinal direction (i.e., the main scanning direction Y) of the first shaft 72. The first main body member 75A has a first through hole 75AK that penetrates from the bottom surface of each first recess 75AM to the first surface 75AG, and a second through hole 75AL that penetrates from the bottom surface of each second recess 75AN to the second surface 75AH. The first through hole 75AK and the second through hole 75AL communicate with the outside via the first outer peripheral surface 75AP. It is sufficient that at least one of the first through hole 75AK and the second through hole 75AL communicates with the outside via the first outer peripheral surface 75AP. The first through hole 75AK and the second through hole 75AL are, for example, screw holes. The first shaft 72 is located between the first through hole 75AK and the second through hole 75AL.

[0033] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second main body member 75B has a second outer circumferential surface 75BP which is the outer circumferential surface of the second main body member 75B, has an arc-shaped cross-section and contacts the second printed material 5B, a second inner circumferential surface 75BQ which is the inner circumferential surface of the second main body member 75B, has an arc-shaped cross-section and contacts the first shaft 72, a third surface 75BG which is located between the second outer circumferential surface 75BP and the second inner circumferential surface 75BQ and is formed at one end in the circumferential direction, and a fourth surface 75BH which is located between the second outer circumferential surface 75BP and the second inner circumferential surface 75BQ and is formed at the other end in the circumferential direction. When the first main body member 75A and the second main body member 75B are fixed to the first shaft 72, the third surface 75BG overlaps with the first surface 75AG, and the fourth surface 75BH overlaps with the second surface 75AH. The second main body member 75B has a third through-hole 75BK that penetrates from a part of the second outer surface 75BP to the third surface 75BG, and a fourth through-hole 75BL that penetrates from another part of the second outer surface 75BP to the fourth surface 75BH. The third through-hole 75BK and the fourth through-hole 75BL communicate with the outside via the second outer surface 75BP. It is sufficient that at least one of the third through-hole 75BK and the fourth through-hole 75BL communicates with the outside via the second outer surface 75BP. The third through-hole 75BK and the fourth through-hole 75BL are, for example, screw holes. The first shaft 72 is located between the third through-hole 75BK and the fourth through-hole 75BL. The third through-hole 75BK communicates with the first through-hole 75AK. The fourth through-hole 75BL communicates with the second through-hole 75AL.

[0034] As shown in Figure 7, the fastening member 75C fixes the first main body member 75A and the second main body member 75B to the first shaft 72. The fastening member 75C includes a first fastening member 75CX inserted into the first through hole 75AK and the third through hole 75BK, and a second fastening member 75CY inserted into the second through hole 75AL and the fourth through hole 75BL. The first fastening member 75CX and the second fastening member 75CY are, for example, screws. The first fastening member 75CX and the second fastening member 75CY are located inside the first outer circumferential surface 75AP of the first main body member 75A and the second outer circumferential surface 75BP of the second main body member 75B. Here, a portion of the first fastening member 75CX is housed in the first recess 75AM, and a portion of the second fastening member 75CY is housed in the second recess 75AN. In other words, the first fastening member 75CX and the second fastening member 75CY do not protrude outward from the first outer peripheral surface 75AP and the second outer peripheral surface 75BP. As a result, the first fastening member 75CX and the second fastening member 75CY do not come into contact with the second workpiece 5B supported by the first support roller 74.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the drive mechanism 80 is provided in the housing case 71. The drive mechanism 80 is configured to rotate the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76. The drive mechanism 80 is configured to rotate the second printed material 5B by rotating the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76. The drive mechanism 80 includes a drive motor 80A, a first gear 81 connected to the drive motor 80A, a second gear 82 that meshes with the first gear 81, a third gear 83 integrally formed with the second gear 82, a fourth gear 84 that meshes with the third gear 83, a support shaft 85 integrally formed with the fourth gear 84, a first idler pulley 86, a second idler pulley 87, and a conveyor belt 88. The drive motor 80A is housed in the housing case 71. The drive motor 80A is positioned behind the first shaft 72. The first gear 81 is located outside the housing case 71. The second gear 82 and the third gear 83 are mounted on a rotating shaft 80B extending to the right from the housing case 71. The fourth gear 84 is mounted on a support shaft 85 extending to the right from the housing case 71. The first idler pulley 86 and the second idler pulley 87 extend to the right from the housing case 71. The first shaft 72 is located between the support shaft 85 and the second idler pulley 87. The second shaft 76 is located between the first idler pulley 86 and the second idler pulley 87. The conveyor belt 88 is wound around the support shaft 85, the first idler pulley 86, the right end 76R of the second shaft 76, the second idler pulley 87, and the right end 72R of the first shaft 72. The conveyor belt 88 is configured to move and the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 rotate when the drive motor 80A is driven. As a result, the second workpiece 5B, supported by the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76, rotates in the direction of arrow R in Figure 4, for example. In this embodiment, since the diameter of the first support roller 74 is larger than the diameter of the second support roller 78, which is positioned in front of the first support roller 74, the drive mechanism 80 is configured to rotate the second workpiece 5B forward so that a predetermined portion of the second workpiece 5B contacts the second support roller 78 before contacting the first support roller 74.In other words, the second printable object 5B is rotated by rotating the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 in the direction of arrow R in Figure 4 (counterclockwise when viewed from right to left with respect to the main scanning direction Y).

[0036] As described above, in the printer 10 of this embodiment, the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 that rotatably support the second workpiece 5B are detachably provided on the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76, respectively. That is, the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 can be attached to any position on the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76, respectively. Therefore, the number and mounting positions of the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 that can rotatably support the second workpiece 5B can be changed according to the length of the second workpiece 5B (here, the length in the main scanning direction Y) LY (see Figure 5). Furthermore, since the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 are detachably configured, even if the distance LX1 between the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 in the sub-scanning direction X is constant, the distance between the rotating members in the sub-scanning direction X on the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 (in this case, the distance LX2 between the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 in the sub-scanning direction X) can be changed by changing the diameter (outer diameter) of the first support roller 74 fixed to the first shaft 72 and the second support roller 78 fixed to the second shaft 76. This makes it possible to support multiple types of second substrates 5B with different diameters. For example, if the diameter (outer diameter) RR (see Figure 5) of the cylindrical portion of the second workpiece 5B is relatively small, and the distance LX1 in the sub-scanning direction X between the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 is larger than the diameter RR of the cylindrical portion of the second workpiece 5B, the second workpiece 5B will pass through and fall between the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76, making it impossible to rotatably support the second workpiece 5B with the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76. In contrast, by fixing the first support roller 74 to the first shaft 72 and the second support roller 78 to the second shaft 76, the distance in the sub-scanning direction X between the rotating members on the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 can be shortened by the length of the first support roller 74 protruding from the first shaft 72 and the length of the second support roller 78 protruding from the second shaft 76, compared to the distance LX1 in the sub-scanning direction between the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76.Therefore, by setting the distance in the sub-scanning direction X between the rotating members on the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 (here, the distance LX2 between the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 in the sub-scanning direction X) to be smaller than the diameter RR of the cylindrical portion of the second workpiece 5B, even if the diameter RR of the cylindrical portion of the second workpiece 5B is relatively small and the second workpiece 5B passes through and falls between the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76, the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 can rotatably support the second workpiece 5B.

[0037] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the second shaft 76 is configured to be rotatable, and the drive mechanism 80 is configured to rotate the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76. As a result, even if the second workpiece 5B supported by the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 is relatively light, the second workpiece 5B can be rotated appropriately.

[0038] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the diameter of the first support roller 74 and the diameter of the second support roller 78 are different. This allows for the rotatable support of a wider variety of second print materials 5B with different diameters.

[0039] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, if the diameter of the first support roller 74 is larger than the diameter of the second support roller 78, the drive mechanism 80 rotates the second print material 5B so that a predetermined portion of the second print material 5B contacts the second support roller 78 before contacting the first support roller 74. As a result, the second print material 5B is pressed against the first support roller 74, which has a larger diameter, thus preventing the second print material 5B from falling from the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78.

[0040] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 include a first main body member 75A having a first surface 75AG formed at one end in the circumferential direction and a second surface 75AH formed at the other end in the circumferential direction; a second main body member 75B having a third surface 75BG formed at one end in the circumferential direction and overlapping with the first surface 75AG, and a fourth surface 75BH formed at the other end in the circumferential direction and overlapping with the second surface 75AH; and a fastening member 75C that fixes the first main body member 75A and the second main body member 75B. This allows the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 to be easily attached to and detached from the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76, respectively.

[0041] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the first main body member 75A has a first through hole 75AK that penetrates the first surface 75AG and a second through hole 75AL that penetrates the second surface 75AH, the second main body member 75B has a third through hole 75BK that penetrates the third surface 75BG and a fourth through hole 75BL that penetrates the fourth surface 75BH, and the fastening member 75 has a first fastening member 75CX that is inserted into the first through hole 75AK and the third through hole 75BK, and a second through hole 75AL and the third through hole The first through-hole 75AK and the third through-hole 75BK communicate with the outside via the first outer peripheral surface 75AP and the second outer peripheral surface 75BP, respectively, while the second through-hole 75AL and the fourth through-hole 75BL communicate with the outside via the first outer peripheral surface 75AP and the second outer peripheral surface 75BP, and the first fastening member 75CX and the second fastening member 75CY are located inside the first outer peripheral surface 75AP and the second outer peripheral surface 75BP. This prevents the second workpiece 5B from coming into contact with the first fastening member 75CX and the second fastening member 75CY, while the first fastening member 75CX and the second fastening member 75CY can fix the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 to the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76, respectively.

[0042] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the embodiments described above are merely illustrative, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms.

[0043] In the embodiment described above, the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 were rotatably supported in the housing case 71, but are not limited to this. For example, the second shaft 76 may be non-rotatably supported in the housing case 71. In this case, the drive mechanism 80 is configured to rotate the second workpiece 5B supported by the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 by rotating the first shaft 72. The second support roller 78 may also be rotatably provided on the second shaft 76.

[0044] In the embodiments described above, the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 are positioned at the same location with respect to the main scanning direction Y, but are not limited to this. The first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 may be positioned offset from each other with respect to the main scanning direction Y (i.e., offset from each other).

[0045] In the embodiment described above, the first support roller 74 was composed of two members, a first main body member 75A and a second main body member 75B, but is not limited thereto. As shown in Figure 8, the first support roller 174 includes a main body member 175A and a fastening member 175C. The main body member 175A is formed from, for example, rubber. The main body member 175A is formed in a ring shape. The main body member 175A has an outer circumferential surface 175AP which is the outer circumferential surface of the main body member 175A, has a circular cross-sectional shape and contacts the second printed material 5B, an inner circumferential surface 175AQ which is the inner circumferential surface of the main body member 175A, has a circular cross-sectional shape and contacts the first shaft 72, a first dividing surface 175AG which is located between the outer circumferential surface 175AP and the inner circumferential surface 175AQ and is formed at one end in the circumferential direction, and a second dividing surface 175AH which is located between the outer circumferential surface 175AP and the inner circumferential surface 175AQ and is formed at the other end in the circumferential direction. The second dividing surface 175AH overlaps with the first dividing surface 175AG. The main body member 175 has a recess 175AM which is recessed from the outer circumferential surface 175AP in the portion of the outer circumferential surface 175AP that is on one end side in the circumferential direction. The main body member 175A has a first through hole 175AK that penetrates from the bottom surface of the recess 175AM to the first dividing surface 175AG, and a second through hole 175AL that penetrates from a part of the other end of the outer peripheral surface 175AP to the second dividing surface 175AH. The first through hole 175AK and the second through hole 175AL communicate with the outside via the outer peripheral surface 175AP. Note that it is sufficient for at least one of the first through hole 175AK and the second through hole 175AL to communicate with the outside via the outer peripheral surface 175AP. The first through hole 175AK and the second through hole 175AL are, for example, screw holes. The first through hole 175AK communicates with the second through hole 175AL. The fastening member 175C fixes one end and the other end of the main body member 175A. Specifically, the fastening member 175C secures the main body member 175A to the first shaft 72. The fastening member 175C is inserted into the first through hole 175AK and the second through hole 175AL. The fastening member 175C is, for example, a screw. The fastening member 175C is located inside the outer circumferential surface 175AP of the main body member 175A. Here, a portion of the fastening member 175C is housed in the recess 175AM. That is, the fastening member 175C does not protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface 175AP.As a result, the fastening member 175C does not come into contact with the second workpiece 5B supported by the first support roller 174. The second support roller 78 may have the same configuration as the first support roller 174.

[0046] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the first support roller 174 includes a ring-shaped main body member 175A having a first dividing surface 175AG formed at one end in the circumferential direction and a second dividing surface 175AH formed at the other end in the circumferential direction and overlapping with the first dividing surface 175AG, and a fastening member 175C that fixes one end and the other end of the main body member 175A. This allows the first support roller 174 to be easily attached to and detached from the first shaft 72.

[0047] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the main body member 175A has a first through hole 175AK that penetrates the first dividing surface 175AG and into which the fastening member 175C is inserted, and a second through hole 175AL that penetrates the second dividing surface 175AH and into which the fastening member 175C is inserted. The first through hole 175AK and the second through hole 175AH communicate with the outside via the outer peripheral surface 175AP, and the fastening member 175C is located inside the outer peripheral surface 175AP. This prevents the second workpiece 5B from coming into contact with the fastening member 175C.

[0048] In the embodiment described above, the diameters of the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 were different, but they may be the same. This makes it easier to rotate the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 in sync.

[0049] Figure 9 is a plan view showing a part of the support member 70 according to the second embodiment. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the support member 70 according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 is a plan view showing a part of the support member 70 according to the third embodiment. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the support member 70 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the second workpiece 5B is greater than or equal to the first diameter R1, it is preferable to use the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 having a second diameter R2. Also, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, when the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the second workpiece 5B is less than or equal to the third diameter R3, which is smaller than the first diameter R1 (see Figure 9), it is preferable to use the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78 having a fourth diameter R4, which is larger than the second diameter R2 (see Figure 9). This makes it possible to rotatably support multiple second workpieces 5B with different diameters without changing the distance between the first shaft 72 and the second shaft 76 in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the support member 70 included a first shaft 72 and a second shaft 76, but it may further include one or more other shafts detachably equipped with support rollers similar to the first support roller 74 and the second support roller 78.

[0051] In the embodiment described above, the first main body member 75A of the first support roller 74 has a first recess 75AM and a second recess 75AN formed therein, with the first through hole 75AK penetrating the bottom surface of the first recess 75AM and the second through hole 75AL penetrating the second recess 75AN, but is not limited to this. The first main body member 75A does not necessarily have a first recess 75AM and a second recess 75AN formed therein. In this case, the first through hole 75AK may penetrate from a part of the first outer peripheral surface 75AP to the first surface 75AG, and the second through hole 75AK may penetrate from another part of the first outer peripheral surface 75AP to the second surface 75AH. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 5A 1st printed material 5B 2nd printing material (printing material) 10 Printers 34 Inkheads 48 tables 70 Support member 72. First shaft 74. First support roller 76. Second shaft 78. Second support roller 80 Drive mechanism

Claims

1. A printer capable of printing on a first substrate having a plane extending in at least a portion of the main scanning direction and in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction in a plan view, and a second substrate having at least a portion of its outer periphery cylindrical, An ink head that ejects ink onto the first or second substrate and is movable in the main scanning direction, A table on which the first printed material can be placed, The system comprises a support member that is placed on the table and supports the second object to be printed, The aforementioned support member is A first shaft extending in the main scanning direction and rotatable, Multiple first support rollers are detachably provided at any multiple positions on the first shaft and rotatably support the second workpiece in a non-contact state with the table, A second shaft extending in the main scanning direction and positioned at a predetermined distance from the first shaft with respect to the sub-scanning direction, Multiple second support rollers are detachably provided at any multiple positions on the second shaft and rotatably support the second workpiece in a non-contact state with the table, It has a drive mechanism for rotating the first shaft and the second shaft, The drive mechanism is configured to rotate the second workpiece by rotating the first shaft and the second shaft, A printer configured to change the distance in the sub-scanning direction between the first support roller on the first shaft and the second support roller on the second shaft by changing the first support roller and the second support roller, without changing the distance between the first shaft and the second shaft in the sub-scanning direction.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the first support roller and the diameter of the second support roller are the same.

3. If the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the second substrate is greater than or equal to the first diameter, the first support roller and the second support roller having the second diameter are used. The printer according to claim 2, wherein if the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the second workpiece is less than or equal to a third diameter which is smaller than the first diameter, the first support roller and the second support roller having a fourth diameter which is larger than the second diameter are used.

4. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the first support roller and the diameter of the second support roller are different.

5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein if the diameter of the first support roller is greater than the diameter of the second support roller, the drive mechanism rotates the second workpiece so that a predetermined portion of the second workpiece contacts the second support roller before contacting the first support roller.

6. The first support roller and the second support roller are A ring-shaped main body member having an outer circumferential surface having a circular cross-sectional shape and contacting the second printed material, an inner circumferential surface having a circular cross-sectional shape and contacting the first shaft or the second shaft, a first dividing surface located between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface and formed at one end in the circumferential direction, and a second dividing surface located between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface and formed at the other end in the circumferential direction and overlapping with the first dividing surface, A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a fastening member for fixing one end and the other end of the main body member.

7. The main body member is formed with a first through-hole that penetrates the first divided surface and into which the fastening member is inserted, and a second through-hole that penetrates the second divided surface and into which the fastening member is inserted. At least one of the first through hole and the second through hole communicates with the outside through the outer circumferential surface, The printer according to claim 6, wherein the fastening member is located inside the outer peripheral surface.

8. The first support roller and the second support roller are A first main body member having a first outer circumferential surface having an arc-shaped cross-section and in contact with the second printed material, a first inner circumferential surface having an arc-shaped cross-section and in contact with the first shaft or the second shaft, a first surface located between the first outer circumferential surface and the first inner circumferential surface and formed at one end in the circumferential direction, and a second surface located between the first outer circumferential surface and the first inner circumferential surface and formed at the other end in the circumferential direction, A second main body member having a second outer circumferential surface having an arc-shaped cross-section and in contact with the second printed material, a second inner circumferential surface having an arc-shaped cross-section and in contact with the first shaft or the second shaft, a third surface located between the second outer circumferential surface and the second inner circumferential surface, formed at one end in the circumferential direction and overlapping with the first surface, and a fourth surface located between the second outer circumferential surface and the second inner circumferential surface, formed at the other end in the circumferential direction and overlapping with the second surface, A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a fastening member for fixing the first main body member and the second main body member.

9. The first main body member has a first through hole that penetrates the first surface and a second through hole that penetrates the second surface. The second main body member has a third through-hole that penetrates the third surface and communicates with the first through-hole, and a fourth through-hole that penetrates the fourth surface and communicates with the second through-hole. The fastening member includes a first fastening member inserted into the first through hole and the third through hole, and a second fastening member inserted into the second through hole and the fourth through hole. At least one of the first through hole and the third through hole communicates with the outside through the first outer surface or the second outer surface, At least one of the second through hole and the fourth through hole communicates with the outside through the first outer surface or the second outer surface, The printer according to claim 8, wherein the first fastening member and the second fastening member are located inside the first outer peripheral surface and the second outer peripheral surface.

Images